Axle swap compatibility/ (2024)

You might scroll through this one to learn more: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/locker-questions-and-preference-poll.323167/

Blue85 said:

You might scroll through this one to learn more: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/locker-questions-and-preference-poll.323167/

Click to expand...

I appreciate the info. Skimming, it looks like there are a lot of options and a lot of opinions.

For me, its just what ever is cheap and easy. I would just weld the damn thing, except... Wait, maybe I should just weld the damn thing....

No, its really a street rig. I don't go off road. Its not worth shredding my rear tires all year around, just to be able to drive in the snow 2 days per year. They should just have a manual lever on the rear axle that you can engage to lock it and unlock it. Why don't they have that!

78 GMC Jimmy said:

See Also

Used Trucks for Sale in Laramie, WY (with Photos)1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie SLT diesel for sale - Arminto, WY - craigslist

I have not researched the different types. I just want to be able to get up snow covered steep paved roads without tire chains.

Click to expand...

i had a detroit locker in 1 winter with 38" tsl swampers in a long bed . more than 2" i had to use 4wd to drive straight down a road . swapped my g-80 back in and never a problem after that . they do work but are a different animal for sure .

sweetk30 said:

i had a detroit locker in 1 winter with 38" tsl swampers in a long bed . more than 2" i had to use 4wd to drive straight down a road . swapped my g-80 back in and never a problem after that . they do work but are a different animal for sure .

Click to expand...

Would this work?

78 GMC Jimmy said:

Would this work?

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Click to expand...

no it is 2 short

he says it is 28 spline, the number comes back as a 10 bolt carrier which would be 28 spline

HankScorpio said:

Detroit or lock rite are sketchy in the snow or ice in my opinion. The truck always wants to swap ends, you have to run in 4wd. G80 has better snow manners in 2wd. I think the 14B G80 are a decent diff, the 1/2 ton ones not so much. They are called Gov bomb for a reason, weak. Both my V2500 square burbs and my '04 2500HD have G80, I drive them in the snow a lot and they work great.

Click to expand...

I usually like to drive in the snow in 2 wheel drive. Drift corners, rooster, doughnuts etc. I want to be able to go up a hill in the snow in 2WD that is this steep: /

The G80 is probably as snow friendly as they come, although if you drive it right (wrong?), you can get the rear end to step out. If you go that direction, the whole axle swap might make sense. Anything besides a lunchbox locker is a gear setup. If you are willing to go through that, many here will recommend the Tru-trac. If you pay a shop to do all of the work, stepping from a Tru-trac to a selectable doesn't look like a huge leap.

That being said, if the goal is just to get up a snowy hill once in a while - just drop the requirement that it has to be in 2WD!

Good tires and G80 will get you a long ways in snow. I don't do any crazy stuff, but I do like using 2wd until 4wd is a requirement, so I know I have some margin to get back out.

If I didn't have the G80, true trac would be my next choice.

Not Xxxxxtreme, but this is typical in 2wd with narrow AT tires (Granted, I do air down to about 20psi). Might even have been towing my trailer.

78 GMC Jimmy said:

The area that I live, the snow only sticks for maybe a week per year at most. But because the paved roads are so steep and isolated, whole neighborhoods get snowed in. The city doesn't plow the roads, because its not a high priority area. In the snow, the mail and Amazon is delivered by hand with the drivers walking up and down the hills. I am always the first tire tracks out of the area, and people seem to wait for me to go first, so that they can see if its even possible to make it up and down the hills. After I go, others follow in my tracks. I am pretty sure that an open diff rig is not going to make it anywhere this winter, and I am not going to be able to find 37" tire chains for a reasonable price.

Click to expand...

What tire are you running? My 37" tire trucks are actually my worst in snow. The '04 with 285 all seasons or cooper snow claw tires is way better. The G80 will pull my snowmobile trailer up to 10,000ft is 2wd most of the time. 4wd and over a foot of snow on the road is no problem. Mud terrains and or wide tires are terrible in the snow and ice. I have run BFG, Swampers, Coopers, Toyo, Nitto off road tires in large sizes and they were all really bad in snow or ice.. A narrow 33" tire with a specific ice and snow rating will out perform them all.

flatland said:

You aren't far from Kenny. If your truck is drivable, I'd see if he's willing to be paid to get one of his axles ready for you and then let you drive over and help swap it at his place with the lift. That would be money well spent for easy, quick, peace of mind, and a chance to meet a cool CK5'er.

Click to expand...

Ya, I thought about that. He suggests not doing that though. He feels that replacing my seals and installing a "lunchbox diff" is the way to go. I wonder what he would charge to do that to my axle.

With the current setup, I have terrible traction. If its raining, taking off from a stop sign is one wheel wonder, unless I am careful. Although I do usually stomp the gas peddle a lot. I'm sure snow will be terrible.

My current tires:

Link: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/wan/d/seattle-wanted-k5-blazer-parts/7761617086.html